The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-20
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for July "a
The Baptism of Jesus"

me RtUef Jordan The principal river OF
| Palestine. Ii rises among the Lebanon noun
talns and flows almost exactly due south, first
through marshy plain TO the Lake Huleh or
Merom Josh IL: -, then about nine miles to
the Like or Gennesaret or Sea of Galilee, de-
scending IN this distance 600 feet, and reach
ing at the surfacs OF the lake point 653 feet
below the surface or the Mediterranean, and
thence issuing, headlong torrent, evoked
and precipltous, through u narrow and DESC
late valley, occupying 800 miles IN It's course,
though traverslng but % IN straight line,
falling rapidly meanwhile, and finally issuing
in the Dead or Salt Sea- whose surface is over
l,3OO feet below the level OF the Mediterra-
mean: It's average width between the two
seas IL from seventy TO eighty yards.
GdtUee. The most northern of the three
parts into which Palestine was divided at the
ume or Christ: IL ~comprehended Issachar,
Zebulon, Naphtali, and Asher. Christ is
called Jesus OF Galilee' Matt 70: 69 because
he was brought up in that province, and there
| lived, taught, and called his first disciples
Matt 4: 13-2I l5 30; Mark |: 80; Luke 4 A;
5; l; y: D; John z: ~; and it became a name
OF contempt John |: 45, z: 81; Acts =: % both
among Jews and Genties, because they were
mongrel race, and used corrupt dialect,
| which originated in the amalgamstlon of the
Jews, who settled there after the captivity,
with tho GENTLE foreigners Matt 20: 90 %;
| Mark l4:70p
The baptism Of Jesus The lesson is con-
fined to this event; il and il accordingly claims
tho students chief attention. Let us look at
| IL from inherent stanupolnts anu IN varying
| relations.
|. Its mode, as shown by the word
= The testimony OF Dean Stanley: 81 I'm
N erslon was wisely selected, not only be-
cause it was "a most delightful, ordinary and
salutary observance, but because IL was
significantly expressive of the design of bap-
| tism.
40 The word which Christ used to express
baptism is literally translated immersion.
| "3. Christ himself was immersed
81 The apostles uniformly practicel inn
mersion.
"5 Immersion was the invariable practice
of the primltiv i've church.
% 1t was the almost universal practice of
Christians for thirteen centuries.
81 When the substitution of sprinkling for
immersion began to find favor, il was stoutly
resisted as al in novation.
IS Even in some Of the old countries Rus-
sia, for instance), the innovation has been up
TO the present time successfully resisted
20 Immersion even in the Church Of En-
gland, is still observed in theory. Elizabeth
and Edward VI. were both immersed. The
rubric In the public baptism for infants en-
Joins that unless for special cases, they are
TO be dipped, not sprinked.
40. The change from immersion to sprn-
king is greater Than that which the Roman
Catholic Church has made in administering
the sacrament OF tho Lords Supper in the
bread without wine (Norning Starr
4. Significance Of baptism. 1t is o. an act
Of obelience; c) 1t is prescribed form, or
of imitation; (5 1t is an act OF conservation;
~ il is an act of public profession; "a it is
act of symbolic meaning. CONDENSED
from fuckers Position of Baptsm)
;. Importance Of Baptism This is shown
! Q) from its being the initial OF the ministry
OF Jesus; (2) from its being the close OF his
ministry; C3) from his singing out and en-
! phasizng this duty in his last conversation on
earth; a. from its being the only duty re-
quired in the name Of the Trinity; (5) from
the fact that the only display of the triune
God was on the occasion of baptism; 90 from
its being associated with things of the most
tremendous import, as faith, salvation, heav-
en-, hell % from ITS being essential to the
fuIhllment of righteousness. CONDENSED from
/ Tucker.)
g. Baptisnl a test of character Geikie
says: "Can we question that such an act was
a crisis in the life of our Lordg HIS perfect
manhood like that of other men, in all things
except in sin, forbids our doubling ii. Holy
aud pure before sinking under the waters, he
must yet have risen from them with the light
| OF higher glory IN his countenance. His
| past life was closed; new one had opened.
| Hitherto the humble villager, yelled from the
world, he was henceforth the Messiah, open
! ly working among men. 1t was the true
moment of entrance on a new life Past years
! had been buried in the waters of Jordan. He
entered them as Jesus the Son OF man; he
rose from them the Christ Of God"
The founder of the Russian Empire left his
palace and capital, the seductive pleasures
and all the pomp and royalty, to acquire the
! art of snip building in the dock-yard of a
Dutch seaport He learned it that he might
teach il to his subjects; he became a servant
! that he might be the better master and Law in
| Russia the foundation OF great naval power
| Nor has his country been ungrateful Her
| capital, which bears his name is adorned with
a monument to his memory, massive as his
! mind; and she has embalmed his deathless
! name In her heart and in her victories Yet.
! little as men think Of Jesus, lightly as they
! esteem Him, far greater sight is here
! There, king becoming subject that his
subjects might find in him king. there was
much for men; but here there is much for
| both men and angels to wonder at and praise
| through all eternity. The Son of God stoops
to toni What an amazing scene! Or.
! Guthre.)
:. WIZ baptism should be studied On Be-
cause it - part of the revealed will OF God;
| and (2l has never been abrogated; (3) il ia es-
sential to a true acknowledgment Of God; az
! in order that one may know the truth on this
controversial point CONDENSED from
Stalker.)
s Conclusion Of the thole matter. sWbat-
soever he saith unto you, do it" Study this
first and important duty of the new life (l) in
| divdually C2) scripturally. CD csndidly az
resolutely, (5) prayerfully, 6) obedientx III
We know these Things happy are ye if we do
| them"
SEED TRUTHS AND GERM THOUGHTS.
|. We should put ourselves where duties
may be learned and performed ". 49,
> The owly servant may be honored with
an exalted position or work ". 14)-may her
alb some great leader OF the church
3. We should be careful lest false humili-
" cause us to oppose Christ ". IL.
!. Are you convinced you should be bap-
tizedy Then follow Christ and be baptized
". 13)
D. II was necessary for even the perfect
Savior 10 render an exact obedience w. 15).
Il The act of obedience is the gateway 10 the
opening heavens and. the descending Spirit
w. l6).
:. True love and loyalty arc shown only by
careful obedience ". 15).
x IL we are in Christ we shall receive the
welcome approval which the Father speaks to
him ". ~.
O. II we obey heavens command we are en-
dowed with heavens Spirit ". l6.
10 Since Christ Is the we'll beloved Of God.
we may be sure there is no salvation except
through him.
H. Since Christ is loved and honored Of
God, every least command OF his should be
carefully and strictly obeyed
II message from heavenl Then il is
likely there will be word, or tone or a
thought, or meaning, that we may not fnlly
understand yet